2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2021 Subaru Forester

The 2021 Nissan Rogue boasted an eye-catching new design, emphasizing a more technical and SUV-like appearance. Dark gray plastic cladding wrapped around the Rogue's lower perimeter, while bold, simulated skid plates and lower door protection conveyed a sense of ruggedness, particularly noticeable on the SUV's rear bumper. Clean LED lighting elements, a prominent V-Motion grille, and well-proportioned dimensions lent the Rogue a contemporary aesthetic. All trim levels came with aluminum wheels up to 19 inches in diameter. Additionally, an optional two-tone paint option with a black roof treatment allowed the Rogue to adopt a custom look.

Four trims were available for the 2021 Rogue: the base S ($25,650), the popular SV ($27,340), the SL ($32,000), and the luxurious Platinum ($35,430). Destination charges added an extra $1,095 to each price. The Rogue also offered all-wheel drive for $1,400 and Premium option packages for both the SV ($2,660) and SL ($1,320). The test vehicle, a Rogue SL, included the Premium Package, extra-cost paint, floor mats, and a cargo area protection package, totaling $35,195, including destination charges.

Inside, the Rogue's Almond color leather interior paired with a standard panoramic glass sunroof created a light and spacious cabin. The cabin featured abundant soft-touch surfaces, appealing simulated wood trim, and fabric-wrapped windshield pillars, all contributing to a quality feel. Nissan arranged the controls in a clean and logical manner. For an even more luxurious experience, the Platinum trim included quilted semi-aniline leather, contrast stitching, and ambient lighting. The Rogue's modern technology, highlighted by a wireless Apple CarPlay system and an old-school digital clock-like climate control panel, added a touch of charm. Surprisingly, the Rogue maintained a CD player, yet it wasn’t technologically outdated.

In contrast, the 2021 Subaru Forester, which was redesigned for 2019, maintained a more traditional, boxy design that preferred function over modern aesthetics. The fifth-generation Forester mostly carried over its look from the previous model, with the main updating being the distinct cross-shaped taillights. Subaru likely chose not to fix what wasn't broken, maintaining a look that many SUV shoppers desired.

The Forester Sport trim received a few sporty touches such as orange striping around the lower body and roof rails, a rear spoiler, and black 18-inch alloy wheels, which provided a noticeable sportiness when combined with a complementary paint color like the tested Dark Blue Pearl.

The Forester's interior focused on practicality with materials that seemed durable rather than aesthetically pleasing. The Sport trim added orange accents in the form of colored trim and cross-stitching. Base, Premium, and Sport models featured cloth upholstery, while the Limited and Touring trims offered leather. The All-Weather Package, included on Premium and higher trims, added heated front seats, exterior mirrors, and a windshield de-icer. This straightforward interior design aimed for long-term durability over modern style.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue faced criticism for its power. The test model, weighing nearly 3,500 pounds, was equipped with a direct-injected 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 181 pound-feet of torque at 3,600 rpm. While the output was sufficient for everyday driving, the engine felt underpowered, especially in demanding driving conditions.

The Rogue's continuously variable transmission (CVT) efficiently managed the torque, emulating a traditional automatic with programmed ratios and paddle shifters on the steering wheel, though their usage was minimal. For off-road adventures, the Rogue offered AWD, 8.2 inches of ground clearance, and new Snow and Off-Road driving modes, which improved its moderate off-road capabilities.

During a media program, Nissan representatives hinted at future powertrain enhancements, possibly including a turbocharged engine like the one in the Altima and Infiniti QX50. For those seeking immediate improvement, the Rogue's Sport driving mode provided a more responsive driving dynamic.

Fuel economy was a focal point, with the tested FWD Rogue SL achieving 27.5 mpg on a varied driving loop, slightly below the EPA's official rating. The Rogue's new architecture, composed of 35% high-strength steel, offered improved ride and handling, supplemented by brake-induced Intelligent Trace Control, Active Ride Control systems, and the new Vehicle Motion Control, augmenting the driving experience by predicting and adjusting for optimal performance. The redesigned steering, now featuring electric assist from the steering rack, significantly improved handling, providing a smoother and more athletic drive.

The 2021 Subaru Forester, powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder boxer engine, delivered 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, mated to a CVT with a manual mode and paddle shifters in higher trims. The boxer engine's lower center of gravity slightly differentiated it from competitors' inline-four engines. The engine's performance felt adequate for most driving situations but struggled during highway merges and overtaking maneuvers, and wind noise at high speeds detracted from the experience.

The Forester's suspension prioritized comfort, absorbing road bumps well but resulting in poor body control. It showed significant body roll in corners and a bouncy ride on uneven surfaces, compromising comfort despite the soft setup. Where the Forester stood out was standard AWD across all trims, featuring a more sophisticated drivetrain with X-Mode for varying surfaces. The Sport trim included Dual X-Mode for enhanced off-road performance. Premium and higher trims featured hill-descent control, and all models showcased 8.7 inches of ground clearance, enhancing its off-road capability, albeit less so than models like the Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk or the new Ford Bronco Sport.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue offered improved comfort with its Zero Gravity seat designs, inspired by the neutral spine position astronauts adopt in space. Previous Rogue models had smaller seats, but the new 2021 version featured enhanced Zero Gravity seats wrapped in cloth for the S trim, leatherette for the SV, leather for the SL, and premium leather for the Platinum trim. Heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats were available from the SV trim upwards.

The Rogue’s air conditioning system varied by trim, with dual-zone automatic climate control in the SV, and a triple-zone system in the SL and Platinum, giving rear-seat passengers control over their climate. The rear seats offered generous headroom and legroom, with nearly 90-degree opening doors, making loading passengers easier. The LATCH system allowed for three child safety seats, supported by a rear-seat reminder system.

Noise reduction was a priority, achieved through aerodynamic improvements, acoustic front glass, and a thicker dashboard insulator. Storage was practical, with an electronic shifter freeing up space under the center console, and large door-panel pockets. The Rogue provided between 31.6 to 36.5 cubic feet of cargo space, depending on the trim, and up to 74.1 cubic feet with the rear seats down, making it one of the more spacious options in its class.

The 2021 Subaru Forester excelled in interior space, offering above-average headroom and legroom in both rows due to its tall, flat roofline. This design also allowed for substantial glass areas, enhancing outward visibility but potentially raising cabin temperatures on sunny days.

The Forester's cargo space was generous at 35.4 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 76.1 cubic feet with the seats down, outperforming the Honda CR-V and Hyundai Tucson in this regard. However, it lacked the sliding second-row bench found in competitors like the Nissan Rogue. A power liftgate was optional on the Sport trim and standard on the Limited and Touring trims.

While the Forester didn't match the Ascent's 19 cupholders, it provided adequately sized cupholders and a reasonably sized center console. However, the phone-storage cubby was too small, and wireless charging wasn’t available. A power-adjustable driver’s seat only came with the Premium trim and above. The large knobs for audio volume and climate control were user-friendly, but the abundance of buttons on the steering wheel could be confusing.

Comparing cargo capacities, both vehicles offered ample space. The Rogue’s cargo capacity ranged from 31.6 to 36.5 cubic feet with seats up, and up to 74.1 cubic feet with them down, whereas the Forester provided 35.4 cubic feet with seats up and 76.1 cubic feet with seats down.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue offered a well-equipped infotainment package. The base S trim included an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, with a six-month trial to Nissan Concierge Personal Assistant. Moving up to SV and SL trims added NissanConnect Services, a WiFi hotspot, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant integration. The SL Premium Package and Platinum trim featured a 9-inch touchscreen, real-time traffic navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, and a Bose premium audio system. The Platinum trim also included wireless smartphone charging, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 10.8-inch head-up display.

The 2021 Subaru Forester’s standard Starlink infotainment system included a 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and front-row USB ports. Sport models upgraded to an 8-inch touchscreen and Harman Kardon audio system, while Limited and Touring trims added navigation and dual rear USB ports. The system was user-friendly with well-designed graphics and analog controls, but the screen boot-up time was slow. Additional screens displayed secondary information but could seem redundant.

Safety was a priority for the 2021 Nissan Rogue. It included a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) called Nissan Safety Shield 360, featuring automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and lane-departure warning. Unique inclusions were a blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert and ten airbags. Higher trims featured ProPilot Assist with enhanced adaptive cruise control. Crash-test results were unavailable, but increased high-strength steel usage suggested strong crash protection.

The 2021 Subaru Forester excelled in safety, earning the highest “Top Safety Pick+” award from IIHS and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA. It came standard with EyeSight, a camera-based driver-assist system including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and reverse automatic braking. Subaru’s unique DriverFocus system ensured drivers remained attentive, enhancing safety further.